BioiDiesel

James Day_2

Got a call from a customer running 90% biodiesel in his home.  His boiler want run and he has no hot water.  I have to go there tomorrow morning on a service call. I have never worked on a biodiesel blend that high.  He has been running at 50% for a little while and decided to bump it up to 90%.Any ideas on where to start.  What kind of effects does biodiesel have on a oil boiler.

Thanks, James

 

kcopp

I am not a....

burner guy. Good chance that the oil pump gave up the ghost. Boi has little lubication qualty and the seals can have a short life.. Could be a host of other things too. kpc

STEVEusaPA

also,

Bio-Diesel is a great detergent/cleaner.  Especially with an older oil tank.  You may find a situation where everthing is cleaned (think turpentine) and pushed into and cloggin the fuel line, filter, OSV (if equipped), pump screen, nozzle line, nozzle, with some nice impingement going on the end cone.  I'm surprised someone would run 90%, without adding some extra filtration, and initially changing those filters monthly-just to monitor the situation. They should also be using additive that add lubricity.  If your customer insists on B-90, maybe you should look into burners capable of handling it.  Currently most burner manufacture's won't approve B90 on their older burners.

James Day_2

biodiesel

I was there today.  Oil Filter was clean. Nozzle was clean but I replaced.  Unit kept kicking off. The only time it would stay running is if it was burning really rich.  As soon as I made any adjustments to where it should be it kicked off on the cad cell eye.  Tried replacing the eye but still nothing. 

Jean-David Beyer

viscousity?

Could the viscousity be too high and making the spray pattern wrong?

Greg Maxwell

Bio Diesel

I recommend that you call the burner manufacturer, as I am sure that they have run into this before. Also, is there any room in his tank to add some #2?

James Day_2

#2 oil

I told them to call and get some regular #2 oil to blend with it.  They are going to do that today and then I will go back.

Steamhead

Check the cad-cell ohms

while the burner is running. If they're higher than about 1500, you're not getting enough light from the flame. If they're lower, the primary is probably bad. 

LarryC

Lack of Lubricity with Bio ????

It is my understanding that Bio ADDS lubricity to the fuel.  I am aware that Bio will attack older seals, clean out all sorts of debris and tends to clog filters with the released crud, but it should significantly improve the lubricity of the oil.  High concentration of Bio will have a slightly lower energy content than Petro #2, and it has a warmer gell point.

STEVEusaPA

youre right Larry

I was thinking about Bio Diesel used in diesel engines, and the need for additives. James, here's a paper I found from Brookhaven Lab about bio heat.  Talks about viscosity at higher concentrations (exceeding 30%), and cad cell problems (specifically page 2)

http://www.bnl.gov/est/erd/biofuel/files/pdf/AlbrechtKrishnaPaper.pdf